Housatonick [Housatonic] River, New England

The sources of this river are in the towns of Lanesborough and Windsor, Berkshire county, Mass. The two branches meet at Pittsfield, where the river forms; it then passes south, through Berkshire county, and enters the state of Connecticut. After meandering through the county of Litchfield, in that state, it separates the counties of New Haven and Fairfield, and meets the tide water at Derby, 14 miles above its entrance into Long Island Sound. The source of this mountain stream is more than 1,000 feet above the ocean; and in its course, of nearly 150 miles, it affords numerous mill sites, and presents many pleasant and well cultivated towns. The volume of water of this river is not very large, except in seasons of freshet, when the rains from the mountains that environ its borders, inundate the valleys and greatly fertilize the soil. The scenery of the Housatonick is exceedingly beautiful; in some places it is enchanting. The romantic cataract at Canaan, Conn., of 60 feet perpendicular, is well worthy the notice of travellers. The Indian name of this river, signifies over the mountains. A vocabulary of Indian names, so beautiful and expressive, would be not only curious but valuable.